Southern Districts aiming for a third successive Premier League grand final in Nightcliff clash

SOUTHERN Districts star Ed Barlow baulked at suggestions this week he is playing the best football of his career at the age of 33

Southern Districts teammates Charlie McAdam (34) and Ed Barlow celebrate another goal.

SOUTHERN Districts star Ed Barlow baulked at suggestions this week he is playing the best football of his career at the age of 33.

The Crocodiles utility and former AFL Swan and Bulldog booted seven goals in Districts’ 40-point first semi-final win over a tired looking Tiwi Bombers outfit.

“I was very lucky, I got a lot of cheap goals as the result of some great pressure from our forwards,’’ Barlow told the NT News.

“Will (Farrer), Jeff (Garlett) and Clarkey (Jayden Clarke) were very good with their pressure around the footy and set up at least five cheapies for me.

“But it’s certainly the best footy we’ve played all year and the team is the strongest it’s been in terms of personnel.

“And we’ve got some momentum going that will give us the best chance to win a flag.’’

Barlow and the Crocodiles have the tough task of beating Nightcliff in a knockout preliminary final on Saturday night if they want to play in a third successive grand final.

“Nightcliff and Saints are going to be hard to beat, but look at our side individually and we add up to a team starting to play some good footy together,’’ Barlow said.

“We’re playing for each other and moving the ball well through the hands of several players.

“When we go forward and move it well through the likes of Dean Staunton running through, Mick Barlow in there nice and composed, Tommy (Holman) down back, (Nathan) Horbury and Dylan McLachlan as well, we’re hard to stop.’’

The Crocodiles will be on a five-game winning run when they meet the Tigers, who stumbled to their second loss at the hands of St Mary’s in the second semi-final.

But Barlow is confident his side has the personnel and game plan to test the reigning premier.

“I think we match up one-on-one quite well with them, bearing in mind that both sides ahead of us are very well organised and coached.

“You don’t really see those match ups in Territory footy until the finals, so you never really know what will happen.’’